Hello! Im considering into getting an rx8. I currently have a 1998 Honda Prelude SH.

Im very happy to see that the warrenty on the engine itself is still under warrenty for 8yrs or 100k.

I know this car also has great handling and brake packaging stock so i know im not straining away from my car in that area but..

Now my problem is..is this an upgrade from my current car? Im pushing 180 at the front wheel with 160lbs of torque.

I read that this car puts down 190 at the wheel with only 140lbs of torque.

Is this engine bolt on friendly? Will it dramatically increase it? Or just minor increases?


This is my only car so i understand the fact of mpg on this car, i really dont care for that..my current car is only making 200 miles til i need to fill up anyway.

How about audio? Will i be able to put in my single din flip up? I tried looking for aftermarket audio setups around here but i just happen to find addons for the ipod using the cd changer ports, or the bluetooth addons.

Also does Insurance claim this car as a 2door? Or do they let it slide because theres 2 more minature doors in the back?

Last but not least...i live in NY, snow tires are going to be a must, but will it catch enough traction to drive me to where i want to go?

(I dont have a problem doing 15mph or 20mph in the snow..people can honk all they want i dont need to have a death wish lol.)

Im sorry if these questions are nagging, i been trying to search around and look fo these answers.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

bolt ons - will give you nice power it just depends on the setup or you can go for a 20b engine

audio - they have a metra kit just look for it

my insurance counts it as a 4 door

i live in cali so i dont know about the tires lol

 

Is your car an automatic? The RX-8 shines in the upper RPMs, but this is by no means a straight-line car. However, if you have twisties to go through, this car will feel like an upgrade as you can hold your speed much higher than your prelude.

For aftermarket upgrades, go to the aftermarket section of this forum. Basic information follows: For all major HP upgrades, look into porting or FI. All other mods will improve HP by 1-5hp, with the highest NA rx-8 making 230WHP I believe. An FI RX-8 will easily make 280-400WHP.


There are OEM and aftermarket audio options, and lots of audio upgrades available (custom usually) for speakers. Look into the aftermarket electronics section of this forum.

Insurance depends; some allow you to say 4 door, others say 2 door, some don't care if you write it as a 4 door.

Get snow tires. NY isn't really snow central unless you are upstate or out on Long Island (admittedly, that's 99% of the state). I've heard of people using the RX-8 out in the midwest, where you can see much more snow than NY.

 

people always mention this like its a simple act, when in reality there are less than 5 actual swaps here on the forum.

 

wow im loving the feedback!!! great info

thank you for helpful hints!!!!!!!

anyway i forgot to mention yes my car is stick, cant drive auto i pass out driving especially if its leather seating lol.

im thinking just to do exhaust, the whole intake header (or headers??) dont know yet if it has headers..but header/s back exhaust.

until i can save up for a turbo application.

 

Average RWHP gain from CAI is around 3-5, and doing a catback will net you another 1-3. Removing the cat itself and using a straight pipe or supercat can get 5-10RWHP. That's usually the most you can do in terms of breathing for the car.

 

lmao, dills you are my hero. finally someone said what i have been wanting to say.

if you have like 15k -20k sitting around, throw in a 20b

 

If you have 15k-20k sitting around, get a proper turbo and save the rest of the money for an engine rebuild. It's the same horsepower anyways.

 

i dont think you see that i am being sarcastic . i just love it how ppl say , yah you can just throw in a 20b.

 

Now I feel just horrible lol... my sarcasm detector's off from being overworked. I agree with what you're saying.. not to mention how people look at the $400 dollar ebay turbos.

 

Can't you get an electric turbo or a Turbonator for a lot less than $400?

Ken

 

Why not just get those chips they sell on e-bay? It's already guaranteed +100 whp without all the turbo issues.

 

yeah i know but if you got the money why not go for it lol. just giving my $0.02 to the new guy and seein what his options are.

 

The rx-8 definitely comes alive on the turns not the straight.

 

i could trhow a 20b in my car i just dont feel like it.

 

If you are going for a blower, make sure you get a big one....

http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/pro...sp?prod=258925



You don't wanna go back in and put on a larger one....

S

 

You my friend are in luck.

I am selling an entire set of winter wheels and tires.. and I'm in NY too!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/fs-bridgestone-blizzaks-wheels-3k-miles-179374/

 

This car is NOT, I repeat, NOT bolt-on friendly. You can do it, make a few more HP, but nothing compared to your other cars. Mazda did a REAL good job at getting this car as much power as possible through the stock systems. You're best bet is to get an AccessPort, throw on a CAI/Exhaust for sounds and a bit of gains *expect 5-10 all in all, I'd say*, then work from there. Save the rest of your money for a decent turbo kit and show the people what the Rotary is all about

 

I would get rid of the CAT somewhere in there..

 

im glad everyone is really helpful...

im pretty sure my next question is already answered after doing research but

this car..is it very much daily driver material?

i know relibility comes from the sence of what you make of it..that goes with any car..well maintained etc.

but i read you have to be hard on this car to keep everything lubricated and flowing well. so i dont mind that.

im 19, not going to lie, but this car will just be taking me to college, work, cruise, and during the summer to the jersey shore and florida..

as i said gas mileage dont matter to me..my prelude is running rich so im basically the same as the rx8 or even worse on fill ups.

my worries are, do i have to turn on this car everyday? even if i dont drive it?

 

I daily drive my car... as long as you change your oil every 3k (I do it at 2K) and check it regularly you will be fine. No need to start it daily.

 

^+1 but i do mine at 3000ish. lol

 

My insurance not only counts it as a 4dr, but also classifies it as a 4-cyl. Fine by me! Makes insurance cheap

 

I daily drive mine in NYC.. so yes, so long as you can deal with the MPG and *checking* the oil level in between fillups... you will be fine.

Btw this is my second RX8, I had a chance to get something more.. economical??.. but I chose this car once again because it's a good compromise for a DD.

State Farm puts it as a 4D and I get an extra 2 discounts for so many darn airbags in front of me, to my sides, for my passengers in the back.. and all that jazz.

 

my 8 is my ONLY car, god i love it

if the 8 had a motto it would be "a redline a day keeps the carbon away"

trust us all, the 8 is super fun, and its a pantie dropper, you being 19, i can guarantee you that youll have a blast and be proud of yourself for buyin a car that look "mature" as well as looking FUN...just wait till you turn 21, all the ladies at the bar will be coming up to you and complementing your car as you leave while the night has ended